Princeton Hockey reaches Section 5A Finals

Senior Silas Reek (40) and teammates celebrated with the Princeton Arena student section when he scored the game’s first goal in the 5-3 win over Spring Lake Park Feb. 25. Photos by Greg Hunt

Blasting home four goals in the second period, No. 2 seed Princeton boys hockey defeated No. 3 Spring Lake Park 5-3 in the Section 5A semifinal game at home Feb. 23. Cam Paulson scored two of those goals, and goalie Max Mattson held tough for his 30th career win in the Tiger nets.

The victory sends the Tigers to the Section 5A championship game Thursday, Feb. 27 (7 p.m.) at Isanti. They take on top-seed Chisago Lakes who knocked off No. 4 Proctor 5-2 in their Tuesday night semifinal game. The Wildcats (18-8) defeated Princeton (14-11) twice this season in Mississippi 8 action, but the last meeting was a close 3-2 battle.

Princeton began the playoffs in a snow-delayed Feb. 21 against No. 7 Legacy Christian and posted a 6-0 shutout at home. Tyler McAlpine scored goals 4:30 apart for a 2-0 Tiger lead in the first period. The lead expanded to 4-0 after the second when Joey Stenslie scored on the power play and Jake Carlson added an even-strength goal.

Tiger senior A.J. Wesloh battled for position in front of the Panther net during the section semifinal win Feb. 25.